Destination guide
Travel vaccines for Namibia
Etosha, Sossusvlei dunes and the Skeleton Coast — here's what UK travellers are usually advised before visiting Namibia, including malaria in the north and the Yellow Fever certificate rule.
Overview
What vaccinations do I need for Namibia?
For most travellers to Namibia, the vaccinations usually advised are hepatitis A, typhoid and an up-to-date tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster. Depending on your plans, hepatitis B and rabies may also be recommended, especially outside main lodges and towns or on longer, remote self-drive trips. Antimalarial tablets are advised for the north, including Etosha, the Kavango and the Zambezi Region. There's no yellow fever in Namibia, but a certificate is required — and strictly checked — if you arrive from a risk country.
These recommendations are a general guide based on UK travel health advice from TravelHealthPro (UKHSA/NaTHNaC), and we'll confirm exactly what you need at a short consultation. Whether you're heading to Etosha, the Sossusvlei dunes or the Skeleton Coast, your personal list depends on your route and timing.
Plan ahead
Book 4–6 weeks before you fly
Some vaccines need more than one dose, and malaria tablets may need starting before you travel, so aim for 4–6 weeks ahead. Travelling sooner? Come in anyway — there's almost always something we can do.
Recommended vaccinations
Vaccines commonly advised for Namibia
Grouped by how often they're recommended. Your personal list is confirmed at consultation. Vaccine guidance is based on public health information from TravelHealthPro (UKHSA/NaTHNaC).
Hepatitis A
Most travellers
Spread through contaminated food and water — advised for most trips.
Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio
Most travellers
A combined booster is recommended if you're not up to date.
Typhoid
Most travellers
Recommended for most travellers to Namibia — risk rises outside the main lodges and towns.
Hepatitis B
Some travellers
Advised for longer stays, healthcare work, or possible medical/dental treatment.
Rabies
Some travellers
Considered for longer or remote self-drive trips where help is far away.
Cholera
Some travellers
An oral vaccine is considered for higher-risk trips; safe food and water habits remain the main protection.
Dengue
Some travellers
Dengue occurs in Namibia. The dengue vaccine may be considered for travellers aged 4 and over who have had a previous, laboratory-confirmed dengue infection — bite avoidance remains essential for everyone.
Measles (MMR)
Some travellers
Make sure you have had two documented doses of MMR, as measles still circulates in many regions.
Tuberculosis
Some travellers
BCG is usually only relevant for longer stays or close community contact, typically younger travellers who have not had it before.
Entry rules — separate from your jabs
Yellow fever certificate: what Namibia requires
A yellow fever certificate requirement is a legal condition of entry — it is not the same thing as the vaccine being recommended for your health. The recommendation (when there is one) appears in the vaccine list above; the entry rule is below.
Flying direct from the UK? No yellow fever certificate needed for Namibia
Namibia only asks for a certificate (ICVP) from travellers aged 9 months+ who arrive from — or pass through — a country with yellow fever risk, and airport layovers over 12 hours in a risk country count. That catches out multi-country itineraries, so check your whole route, not just your destination.
There is no yellow fever transmission risk in Namibia itself — this rule exists purely to stop the virus being carried in from elsewhere.
Malaria & mosquitoes
Malaria in Namibia
Malaria risk in Namibia is mainly in the north — Etosha's surrounds, the Kavango and the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip) — and is highest in the warmer, wetter months (around November to June). Central and southern Namibia, including Windhoek and the Sossusvlei dunes, are low or no risk. Antimalarial tablets are advised for the northern areas.
- Northern Namibia (Etosha, Kavango, Zambezi): antimalarial tablets often advised
- Central/south (Windhoek, Sossusvlei): low or no risk
- Use repellent, cover up at dawn and dusk, and use nets where needed
FAQ
Namibia travel vaccines — FAQs
Getting ready for Namibia?
Book a quick consultation at our Timperley clinic near Manchester and we'll sort your vaccinations, certificate and malaria advice for your trip.